Sponsor
Richard Joseph Durbin
Senator · D-IL
Senator · D-IL
The bill directs modest U.S. funding to expand bicycle access and related economic and gender‑equity benefits for rural communities in sub‑Saharan Africa, offering transparency and scalable development gains while imposing recurring federal costs and posing risks of resource diversion and implementation tradeoffs.
Rural residents in sub-Saharan Africa (especially children and youth) gain improved access to schools, clinics, and jobs through distribution of affordable bicycles and related supports.
Local economies in target areas are strengthened by funding training for rural mechanics and developing spare-parts supply chains, creating small-business and employment opportunities.
Women and girls may gain greater mobility and opportunity because the program funds stigma‑reduction and other activities that address gender and social barriers.
U.S. spending increases by about $3M–$6M per year, raising federal outlays and imposing a recurring cost on U.S. taxpayers without guaranteed long‑term sustainability.
The program’s ongoing appropriations mandate could divert USAID resources or attention from other development priorities if the overall budget is not increased.
Prioritizing partners with prior documented success to ensure effectiveness could exclude new or local innovators with effective but undocumented approaches, limiting inclusiveness and local ownership.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a USAID Rural Mobility Program to fund grants for bicycles and supporting services in sub‑Saharan Africa, authorizing $3M–$6M annually and requiring initial and annual reports.
Introduced June 17, 2025 by Richard Joseph Durbin · Last progress June 17, 2025
Creates a USAID Rural Mobility Program to fund country‑driven projects in sub‑Saharan Africa that expand rural access to education, health care, and livelihoods by providing affordable, fit‑for‑purpose bicycles and related supports (mechanics, spare parts, stigma reduction, community project management). Authorizes grants to eligible nongovernmental partners, prioritizes organizations with proven success in the region, and sets annual authorization levels for FY2026–FY2030 and thereafter. Requires an initial report within 30 days of enactment summarizing USAID activity related to the program for FY2022–FY2025 and then annual reports by December 30 each year beginning in 2026, detailing countries, implementation mechanisms, bicycles distributed, participant outcomes, and dissemination efforts.